A trademark is a word, symbol, or combination that identifies the source of a product and distinguishes it from other products. A trademark is acquired by a company or other entity through a legal process. Once it’s acquired, it gives the owner exclusive rights to the trademark use concerning those goods.

Trademark infringement is improper or unauthorized use of a trademark in a way that is likely to cause confusion as to the source of that product. YouTube policies prohibit videos and channels that infringe trademarks. If your content uses someone else’s trademarks in a way that might cause confusion, your videos can be blocked. Your channel may also be suspended.

If you think your trademark is being infringed, keep in mind that YouTube doesn’t mediate trademark disputes between creators and trademark owners. As a result, we strongly encourage trademark owners to speak directly with the creator who posted the content in question. Contacting the uploader may fix the problem faster in a way that benefits everyone. Some creators list ways they can be contacted in their channel. Learn more about how to get in touch with others here.

If you can't reach a resolution with the account holder in question, submit a trademark complaint through our Trademark complaint form.